Crafter's Companion Yellows, Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers: Assorted, 6pk

I am not a professional artist by any stretch of the imagination, so it's a bit difficult for me to justify spending a lot of money on high end supplies for my hobby. I love the effects you can create with alcohol markers but didn't want to pay upwards of $8 for a single marker from the brand considered the "creme de la creme". I purchased these as a compromise, and have to say, I am thoroughly converted. I no longer consider myself to be settling for second best - these markers are top notch.That's not to say there aren't a few quibbles. The way this marker "system" works is that the colors are grouped together in families- dark reds, burnt oranges, dusty purples, etc. - with several colors in each family ranging from lightest to darkest. Therefore, you can grab, say, a DR1, DR2, and DR3 and be confident that you're going to get a smooth gradient when you blend from darkest to lightest (or vice versa). For the most part, this works extremely well, and I've truly enjoyed creating beautiful blends in my projects. However, there are a few quirks that I've found along the way. For instance, in some families, a 3 marker might actually be lighter than the 2, or has a noticeably different tone that makes the blending not quite as smooth as it should be.I also wish the chisel tips were replaced with brush tips. The bullet tip is excellent, but a brush tip really gives fine control when blending, really allowing for the flicking motion that helps create seamless blends. There are brush tip replacements available from Crafter's Companion/Spectrum Noir, but they are quite expensive. To be fair, I should note that Spectrum Noir does sell the Illustrator line which uses the same ink as these markers, but with a brush tip instead of a chisel, however they are significantly more expensive.I did have a very minor issue with markers being dry when I first got them. I say minor because 1) it has only affected 3 markers out of the 114 markers I have purchased so far and 2) Crafter's Companion promptly mailed me replacements when I brought it to their attention. Excellent customer service certainly makes up for the minor inconvenience.If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to the top of the line art markers, these are an excellent choice.

So, I know I know everyone loves Copics! I love my Spectrum Noir!! I refilled my stash from a Tues Morn spree but they didn't have an yellow hues. I fulfilled my list here. This are great markers. Some people don't get it, but if you go watch some of their videos on Youtube, you will learn and understand how to make them work even better than Copics. You will save a lot of money using this markers. Great for art and card making!! Love them!

Markers work great and I love having so many yellows! The packaging looked like it had been opened because it was taped up in the back and the markers were in a different order than the display on the packaging, which worried me. However, I tested all of the markers and all work great so I’m not concerned. Like the other reviews say the orange-ish markers are a bit different than displayed, with the CT5 marker being more orange than the OR1. Overall a good set if you’re needing some sunshine in your marker collection.

I don't understand all the hype about these markers. I think their claim to fame is convenience. They're certainly over-rated and over-priced. I prefer colored pencils. My advice would be to skip these and invest in the Derwent Inktense blocks, colored pencils or watersoluble pencils. They have much more variety of shades you can achieve. With these Spectrum Noir markers, I find I've invested in a pricey set that I'll never use enough to justify the cost. I love to color and these are fast and easy but I never seem to have the right shade and blending doesn't always do it either. I don't own the complete set and I've spent over $100 yet I'm always trying for a different color than what I have. It's frustrating. I end up going back to my colored pencils. In this set I commonly use only 2 of the six markers. What a waste. I could keep putting money in but I think it's a bottomless hole - new colors and shades keep coming out and I could just keep spending more and more. I wish I could go back! I'd never buy any of these. Don't waste your money!

These were exactly what i knew they would be. I have used this brand before and really like them. Price was really good also.

This color set is great BUT the OR1 is AWFUL! So I made color swatches of the colors in this pack and attached to this review. The yellows are wonderful, but when you see the orange up next to the other oranges it just doesn't go. And total there is only 3 oranges in spectrum noir markers.So I will defiantly need to go buy a couple orange Copics, but I don't mind. In all these are great markers.

I love these pens and have them in all colors. The yellow set has a good variety of colors in it, last a long time before you have to refill, and have the standard large nib and fine nib that work so well when using color. I think they are way better than the Copic pens because I prefer the fine point nib to the brush that comes on the Copic. The inks are similar, if not identical, each being alcohol based and they smell the same. The difference is in the price. Spectrum Noir are not cheap by any means but they are not as outrageously expensive as the Copics. I wonder how long it will be before Spectrum Noir has the larger market share.

I love the Spectrum Noir pens. Some people say that they come dried out. I have 7 sets and 1 tip (each pen has 2 tips) out of all 7 series has had this problem but the rest were fine. Spectrum Noir is a much more affordable [than Copic] type of alcohol ink pen for scrapbooking and/or comic drawing. If you like to color but can't afford or aren't totally committed then choosing Spectrum Noir over the more expensive Copic pen option might be right for you.